General Dentistry
Dental Hygiene and Preventive Care, Pediatric Dentistry, Dental Fillings, Crowns, Bridges, Root Canals, Extractions, Surgical Extractions - Newport News, Virginia
Fillings
When a tooth has a cavity, or when a small fracture occurs, the fastest way to repair it is with a filling. First the affected area of the tooth is cleaned out to remove any decay or weak tooth structure, then the resultant space is filled.
Fillings can be either silver or tooth colored. Silver fillings were very popular in years gone by, but now almost all fillings are tooth colored. Each option has its advantages - silver is very resistant to wear and is relatively easy to work with, but tooth colored materials are more natural in appearance and can actually be bonded to natural tooth structure. Some people are concerned with the fact that silver fillings contain a slight amount of mercury. However, except for people who are hypersensitive to mercury, this is not likely to be a problem for the general population.
Although fillings can last for many years, it is vital for patients to be diligent in cleaning around their fillings, because cavities can still occur in teeth that have been filled. If a tooth has a filling and decay develops around the filling, sometimes a stronger restoration is necessary to adequately address the problem. The most common alternative to a filling is a crown.
Crowns
While fillings can work well for small to medium sized problems, larger problems may require a stronger solution. Crowns are stronger than fillings and are made outside of the mouth, so that the treated tooth is less likely to break.
A crown may be made of metal, tooth colored material, or a combination of the two. Regardless of the material that is used, the technique is pretty similar. First the tooth is polished down to make it smaller, then either an impression or a digital scan is made of the tooth and other nearby teeth. From this information, a laboratory can fabricate the crown to fit and function naturally.
Most crowns require two appointments - one to prepare the tooth and make the impression, and one to cement the crown onto the tooth. However, some crowns can now be made in just one appointment, using what is called cad-cam technology. This approach is generally more convenient to patients, since they don't have to wear temporary crowns or return for a second visit.
Bridges
When a tooth is lost because of decay, gum disease or an accident, there are two natural ways to replace it. One is with an implant, and the other is with a bridge. Bridges are nice because they are quick, usually only requiring a few weeks.
In order to replace a tooth with a bridge, first the teeth on either side of the missing tooth are polished down, as if these teeth were going to be treated with crowns. Next an impression is made to capture the appearance of the involved teeth, then a temporary bridge is made. A few weeks later the new bridge is cemented onto the adjacent support teeth.
Bridges can be a very natural way to replace missing teeth, as long as the support teeth are kept clean. However, if this is not the case, then decay can develop underneath the bridge, which can require replacement of the bridge. Therefore, it is especially important for patients with bridges to do a great job cleaning their teeth, and to have them professionally cleaned as well.
Root Canals
Each tooth contains nerve tissue near the center. If the nerve is damaged - either by a cavity or by trauma - the nerve can begin to abcess or die. Once this process begins, the tooth will either need to be removed or else treated with root canal therapy.
Root canal therapy can be a highly successful form of treatment, especially if the abessing tooth is detected and treated early. There are a few very important steps in the root canal process. First all of the nerve tissue must be removed, usually by a combination of files and chemical irrigants. Once this is accomplished, the canals of the tooth (where the nerve used to be) are filled with a special material to seal up this area and prevent infection. Finally the tooth is restored, with either a filling or a crown.
Although root canal treatment can make a tooth comfortable, it also leaves the tooth somewhat brittle and susceptible to fracture. This is why most teeth that have had root canal treatment should eventually be strengthened with a crown.
Extractions
When a tooth breaks, develops deep decay, or is weakened by gum disease, sometimes the best option is to have the tooth removed. This process of tooth removal is called an extraction.
Most extractions are comfortable procedures, thanks to the blessing of local anesthesia. Some extractions are described as simple, as opposed to those that require either gum tissue or bone to be removed, and are referred to as surgical extractions. If the tooth is covered with gum tissue, it is referred to as a soft tissue impaction. If the tooth is covered with bone, it is referred to as a hard tissue impaction.
If a tooth is removed, it will heal better if the resulting socket is taken care of. Rinsing out with salt water is perhaps the best way to keep the socket clean, but rinsing out should generally be avoided during the first 24 hours after the extraction. It is also good to keep food away from the area of the recent extraction for at least a week or so.
Once a tooth is extracted, other teeth can begin to drift towards the area of the missing teeth, which can adversely affect a person's bite. In order to prevent the shifting of nearby teeth, it is good to have the missing tooth replaced. The most natural way to replace a missing tooth is with either a bridge or an implant.
Surgical Extractions
A surgical extraction is required when either bone or gum tissue needs to be removed in order to extract a tooth. Sometimes this is because a tooth has not yet fully developed, as is often the case with wisdom teeth. Other times surgical extractions are necessary because teeth have long or divergent roots that make the tooth difficult to remove. Surgical extractions are also sometimes necessary if a tooth breaks, leaving very little of the tooth for the dentist to grab onto.
Some surgical extractions can be performed by a general dentist, while others are best treated by an oral surgeon. Oral surgeons have had advanced training and experience in this type of treatment, and can sometimes remove the tooth more easily than a general dentist, thereby fostering faster healing.
Hygiene (Preventive) Dental Services
In order for teeth and gums to stay healthy, regular professional hygiene treatment is essential. No matter how well a person cleans their teeth, some plaque still avoids the toothbrush and floss. If this plaque is removed regularly by a professional hygienist or dentist, then hopefully it won't have time to cause tooth decay or periodontal (gum) disease.
In addition to professional cleanings done at a dental office, it is important for patients to keep their teeth clean at home. Regular brushing with a soft toothbrush, along with flossing, makes gum disease and cavities far less likely. The use of a fluoride rinse or gel can also be helpful for patients who are especially susceptible to cavities.
Full Dentures
Custom-designed to fit one's mouth, full dentures are an exceptional solution for patients who have lost all of their teeth. Dentures fit securely over your gums and are kept in place by the mouth and cheek muscles. While dentures make it easier to chew and eat some of the foods you used to enjoy, they also help maintain proper alignment for the mouth, cheeks, and other facial features. If you would like more information on full dentures as well as tooth-colored fillings, TMJ treatment, and dental implants in Newport News, Virginia, contact Dr. William T. Griffin's office today.
Partial Dentures
In certain situations in which a patient is missing several teeth, partial dentures may be used to restore both appearance and function. Custom-fabricated for each patient, partial dentures can help restore the structure of a patient's facial features, provide stability and additional strength while chewing, and create the appearance of a full set of teeth. For more information on partial dentures as well as tooth-colored fillings, dental implants, and TMJ treatment, contact our Newport News, Virginia office today.
Gum Therapy
If your gums bleed or seem to be pulling away from your teeth, you may have gum disease. If not treated promptly, gum disease may result in tooth loss and even more serious health problems. Recent studies have indicated that gum disease can potentially affect your heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Fortunately, there are new conservative ways to treat gum disease comfortably and inexpensively. For more information on gum therapy as well as tooth-colored fillings, dental implants, and TMJ treatment in Newport News, Virginia, contact Dr. William T. Griffin today.
